Maroons stars escape bans, free for Origin decider
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Queensland stars Lindsay Collins, Sam Walker and Robert Toia will be available for selection for the State of Origin decider despite being put on report on Friday night.
On an eventful night for Collins during the Roosters’ 24-18 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, the Tricolours enforcer was placed on report for a high tackle and failed a head injury assessment (HIA).
Jordan Riki takes a run for Brisbane against the Roosters. Getty Images
Collins collected Broncos prop Xavier Willison high in the 10th minute.
The Brisbane front-rower had a HIA and failed, ruling him out early.
But the match review committee only handed Collins a $1000 fine for the incident, listed as a grade one careless high tackle.
It emerged early in the second half that Collins had begun experiencing delayed concussion symptoms at half-time, after leaving the field in the 25th minute.
The barnstorming middle forward must serve an 11-day stand-down after failing his HIA. He will have completed the stand-down in time for the decider, but he won’t be allowed to train during the 11 days, affecting his preparation.
Walker was given a $1500 fine for a shoulder charge on Broncos fullback Reece Walsh.
Toia, on the other hand, did not appear on the MRC sheet, despite performing a lifting tackle on Brisbane winger Josiah Karapani.
However, Roosters forward Nat Butcher is facing one game on the sidelines for dangerous contact on Aublix Tawha.
Butcher will serve two games on the sidelines if he challenges the charge at the judiciary and loses.
Speaking post-match, Roosters coach Trent Robinson was sure none of his three Queensland players would be suspended.
“I thought Lindsay’s was pretty much just a straight-up sort of contact. I don’t think there was much in that, to be honest, though I haven’t looked back at it. That’s probably more fine detail,” Robinson said.
“I thought Bobby [Toia] just got his hand wrong, but I didn’t think it was that bad, to be honest. I thought the player tucked his head. He obviously didn’t have a choice on his legs, but he had a choice on his neck position, and I think him ducking it made it look worse. He wasn’t that far horizontal, so I didn’t think there was much in that.
“And Sammy was just in protection mode. Walsh spotted him from about 30 metres away and sprinted at him. The halfbacks - I think Ben [Hunt] had one as well - are just trying to protect themselves.
“So I don’t think there’ll be much in it for those guys. I think they’ll be pretty clear for [next] Wednesday.”
Queensland’s squad for the decider will be confirmed at 8am on Monday.
